25 Best Thought-Provoking Books
We live in a very complicated world in which we do not have all the answers. We believe in the power of books to inspire our imaginations, challenge our perspectives, and help us learn. This list of thought-provoking books left us talking, debating, and wanting to learn more.
Many of these books are wonderful picks for book clubs. In fact, three of them are on the 2025 Beyond the Bookends Book Club List. We had amazing conversations around these books.
So grab a cozy spot, a hot cup of tea, and prepare to embark on a literary adventure like no other with these books that make you think.
The Best Thought-Provoking Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Thought-Provoking Book For Young Adults
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum- Jump to Section
The Best Thought-Provoking Fiction
Culpability by Bruce Holsinger – Jump to Section
The Best Thought-Provoking Nonfiction Book
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot- Jump to Section
The Best Thought-Provoking Sci-fi Book
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley- Jump to Section
The Best Thought-Provoking Historical Fiction Book
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead- Jump to Section
The Best Thought-Provoking Book for Book Club
Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall- Jump to Section
The Best Classic Thought-Provoking Book
Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Thought-Provoking Books for Young Adults
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen
Author: Isaac Blum
Year: 2022
Genre: YA Fiction
More info: William C. Morris Award Winner, May 2025 Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick
Age Range: 12+
Plot
Hoodie Rosen and his Orthodox Jewish community have relocated to a new city to set up roots. But they aren’t feeling welcomed in their new home and are facing antisemitic acts both big and small daily.
As he grapples with his place, not just in the new town but within his own community, Hoodie meets and falls for the mayor’s non-Jewish daughter, Anna-Maria. His friendship with her sends shockwaves through his close-knit community and compounded with the antisemitism, it leaves poor Hoodie struggling with what it means to be a Jewish man.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, Gun violence, Hate crime
Why Kirsten loves it
With antisemitism on the rise, this poignant novel is so deeply important. But more than that, Hoodie’s narration had me feeling as if I was inside the head of the 15-year-old boy who, while being an orthodox Jew, is just grappling with the worries and fears of every adolescent boy.
Find this book in: Books by Jewish Writers / Thought-Provoking Books / Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Books set in High School / Fun Books for Teens / Best Books for 12-year-olds
The Hate U Give
Author: Angie Thomas
Year: 2017
Genre: YA fiction
More info: National Book Award Longlist · Printz Honor Book · Coretta Scott King Honor Book
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This fantastic and incredibly relevant young adult novel tackles the Black Lives Matter movement. Starr is straddling a line between two worlds. She attends a prestigious prep school where she is one of 2 black children in her grade but she lives in a poor neighborhood 40 minutes down the road.
She switches her personality so that she can fit in wherever she is, never truly being her whole self. When she witnesses her unarmed childhood best friend get killed by a policeman her entire life changes.
She needs to decide what to tell and to whom because her words can have dire consequences for her family and her community.
Trigger Warnings
racism, gun violence, police brutality
Why Kirsten loves it
Angie Thomas’s storytelling in this one was impressive. She was able to portray so many relevant topics in one book and put the reader in Starr’s shoes.
Why Jackie loves it
It’s a truly wonderful coming-of-age story from thought-provoking books set in high school that all young adults should read.
Find this book in: Thought Provoking Books / Best Audiobooks of all Time / Best Books Set in High School / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Coming-of-Age Books for Teens
The Sun is Also a Star
Author: Nicola Yoon
Year: 2016
Genre: YA Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This National Book Award finalist is the story of Natasha and Daniel. They meet 12 hours before Natasha and her family are deported to Jamaica. Where will their story take them? You can’t fall in love in 12 hours, can you?
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Deportation, Suicidal thoughts
Why Jackie loves it
This Young Adult novel is smart and well-written. I loved reading it. Yoon has done something very difficult with this book. She switches back and forth between a few different narrators and still manages to maintain the flow of the story.
Find this book in: Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Books Set in New York / Thought-provoking Novels / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Fun Books for Teens / Best YA Romance Books
Plot
Aza is a 16-year-old who, along with her best friend, is searching for a lost billionaire to get the reward money. Along the way, she finds Davis, the billionaire’s son, and her childhood friend. While trying to be the best she can be, she ignores the rising level of panic and anxiety that is tightening it’s grip on her.
Trigger Warnings
Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self-harm
Why Jackie loves it
Love, loss, and resilience are all themes in this book that captured my heart and kept me reading until the last page.
Find this book in: Thought-Provoking Books / Coming-of-age Books for Teens / Books about Mental Illness / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
The Giver
Author: Lois Lowry
Year: 1993
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Age: 12+
More info: The Giver #1, Newbery Medal Winner
Plot
Set in a dystopian world, the main character Jonas is special because he is the Receiver. In his idyllic community, he is the one who holds the secrets. As he meets with the Giver to receive the secrets and learn about life before his community began, his eyes are opened to the kind of world he is living in and just how different it is to the way the world used to be.
Trigger Warnings
Child death, Death, Suicide
Why Kirsten loves it
This classic book for kids is one of the most influential novels of our time and one of the best sci-fi books ever written. I vividly remember the ending of this story and how emotional I got while reading it as a preteen in school. The movie is not my favorite adaptation, but it’s also worth watching.
Find this book in: Books Like the Hunger Games / YA Dystopian Novels / Coming-of-Age books for Teens / Best Books for 12-year-olds / Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time / Newbery Award Winners
Plot
This magical realism book is narrated by Death. Death tells the story of Liesel, a young girl in Nazi Germany in 1939. Liesel is living with her foster parents and learning to read from stolen books. She also shares these books with the Jewish man who is hiding in her basement.
Trigger Warnings
Death, Antisemitism, War
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is a brilliant, powerful, poignant, and unforgettable look at Nazi Germany. It’s becoming part of many school curricula for good reason. I’ve never read a story that encapsulates life for ordinary children during this harrowing time in history.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / YA Historical Fiction Books / Books about the Holocaust / Coming-of-age Books for Teens
Thought-Provoking Books: Fiction for Adults
Culpability
Author: Bruce Holsinger
Year: 2025
Genre: Fiction
More info: July 2025 Oprah Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Are you looking for a summer read that doubles as a thought-provoking book club pick? Look no further than Culpability.
The story opens with the five members of the Cassidy-Shaws en route to a lax tournament when they are involved in a devastating accident in their self-driving car. Now the family is headed to the Chesapeake Bay for a week to recoup before facing the aftermath of the accident back at home.
But each family member is hiding secrets about the accident. Noah, our protagonist, is grappling with being distracted in the passenger seat when his 17-year-old son, Charlie, is behind the wheel. Lorelei, his wife, is an expert in the field of AI morality, and she was the one insistent that the car they were in was safe.
Scattered throughout the book are interviews on the effects of AI and quotes from Lorelei’s fictional book, which explores the moral consequences of machines without morals. Each family member is reacting differently to the accident, and their week on vacation has the power to push them together or drag them apart.
Why Kirsten loves it
This novel ponders the very real human culpability when AI is involved. And it’s not just examined via the autonomous car — bots, drones, and even smart home systems are examined with a critical eye throughout the story. I love how Lorelei and Noah’s relationship was depicted – while they struggle throughout these events, it was refreshing to see a man supporting a woman who is a rockstar in her field.
Holsinger was able to frame the abstract complexities of the consequences of AI into a compelling story that was as entertaining as it was demanding of deeper study. I hope this book gets into the hands of readers everywhere so that we can all ponder the message within. #gifted by Spiegel and Grau
Find this book in: Thought-Provoking Books / Best Fiction Books of 2025
Plot
Push is a look at life in the poverty-stricken streets of Harlem in the eighties. The main character is an illiterate 16-year-old pregnant with her second child by her father.
Trigger Warnings
Incest, Rape, Child abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
The commentary on a life of poverty and the struggles to get out of her situation are horrific but inspiring. It is incredibly difficult, but such a worthwhile, thought-provoking book.
Find this book in: Thought-Provoking Books / Books About Poverty / Books Set in New York / Books That Will Emotionally Wreck You
All the Ugly and Wonderful Things
Author: Bryn Greenwood
Year: 2016
Genre: Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This is an unlikely love story between Wavy, the daughter of a drug dealer, and Kellen, one of her father’s thugs. Wavy is trying to raise Donal, her younger brother, by looking out for him when her parent’s don’t. She relies on Kellen to get her through the hardships of her mid-west life.
Trigger Warnings
Child Abuse, Drug Use
Why Jackie loves it
This highly controversial book and thought-provoking book was awarded Book of the Month Club Book of the Year 2016 and Second Place in Goodreads Best Fiction of 2016. People either love or hate this book because of the difficult subject matter. Either way, you are sure to feel something when you are done reading it. This is one of the books that will make you think, long after you have finished reading the last page.
Find this book in: Thought-Provoking Books / Books Like Where the Crawdads Sing
The Vanishing Half
Author: Brit Bennett
Year: 2020
Genre: Literary Historical Fiction
More info: June 2020 GMA Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The premise of this book set in the 70s is so unique. Two black sisters are so pale they can pass for white. One embraces her black heritage and her hometown, the other disappears into white suburbia. When they meet up again 20 years later through their own daughters, the result is a stunning portrayal of the ties that tether us to our families.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Domestic Abuse
Why Kirsten loves it
I adored Bennett’s debut book The Mothers so I was nervous to read her sophomore novel. Sometimes the next novel doesn’t live up to the first, but The Vanishing Half absolutely does with this wonderful and thought-provoking book.
Adaptation Information
Issa Rae is producing the movie adaptation of this book for HBO.
Find this book in: Books Becoming Movies / Thought-Provoking Books / Books Set in the 70s / Books About Sisters / Books by Female BIPOC Authors / Family Drama Books / Beach Reads 2021 / Best Books About Siblings
Life of Pi
Author: Yann Martel
Year: 2002
Genre: Fiction
More info: Winner of the Man Booker Prize
Age Range: 14+
Plot
When a boat sinks in the Pacific, the only survivors are a 16-year-old boy named Pi, an orangutan, a hyena, a Bengal tiger, and a zebra. And while this book was written less than 20 years ago, it is already a modern classic.
Trigger Warnings
Death, ship accident
Why Jackie loves it
This is not a book that once read can be forgotten. I know that some people look at the story as an extended metaphor in which each animal represents a person but personally, I like the book exactly the way it was written.
There is magic in the pages of this book in all meanings of the word. First, read this book, then, rethink everything. This is a perfect example of a thought-provoking book because no two people view it the same way.
Find this book in: Best Boat Books/ Best Magical Realism Books / Animal Novels For Adults / Thought-Provoking Books / Isolation Books and Thrillers
NonFiction Thought-Provoking Books
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Author: Rebecca Skloot
Year: 2010
Genre: Nonfiction Science
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 14+
Plot
In the 1950s an African-American woman named Henrietta Lacks unknowingly had her cells taken. These cells, known as HeLa, were the first human cells to survive outside the human body and could reproduce indefinitely. HeLa cells became the basis for medical breakthroughs from the creation of the Polio vaccine to cancer and Aids research. However, Henrietta Lacks’s family was never compensated for her contribution to science and could not afford to pay medical bills despite the cells making billions for companies.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Jackie loves it
I read this book a few years ago and I was absolutely stunned. With each page, I kept thinking to myself “this can’t be true” and yet, somehow, it was. If you have not read this non-fiction book about poverty and science, it should be at the top of your list.
Find this book in: Books About Poverty / Best Nonfiction Books / Thought-Provoking Books
Plot
This is an amazing recount of Jeanette Walls’s upbringing and childhood. She is a successful journalist and writer living in New York City. Her parents also live in New York; however, they choose to be homeless. Jeanette Wells’s upbringing was unconventional and her parents did not offer her a structured childhood.
Trigger Warnings
Alcoholism, Child abuse
Why Jackie loves it
This is a fascinating memoir that reads like fiction. It gives a unique perspective to mental illness from a close family member. Wells is able to do this without blame and with love and respect respect for both her parents.
Find this book in: Thought-provoking Books / Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Books about Poverty / Books like Where the Crawdads Sing / Best Nonfiction Books
Empty Mansions
Author: Bill Dedman, Paul Clark Newell, Jr.
Year: 2013
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 14+
Plot
The book outlines her life, her struggles, and the people who took advantage of her good nature. I couldn’t put it down! The splendor of her life reads like a soap opera and the photos of her homes included in the book are jawdropping.
Empty Mansions reads like a novel for sure. Huguette Clark’s life was one of opulence and riches, but she died a recluse with a $300 million dollar estate and a vast number of decrepit homes in her portfolio.
Why Kirsten loves it
If it’s the houses in the Gilded Age you are most interested in and it is definitely one of the books that will make you think about it long after you have finished it. It reminds me of the Downton Abbey house or the Russell’s house in The Gilded Age.
Find this book in: Books Like Downton Abbey / Gilded Age Books / Best Nonfiction Books / Thought-Provoking Books
Killers of the Flower Moon
Author: David Grann
Year: 2017
Genre: Nonfiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 15+
Plot
While this is about the start of the FBI and its role in solving the brutal Osage murders in the 1920s, it also tells the story of the exploitative, disgusting treatment of the Osage tribe. It was shocking to read about the brutal way the Osage were manipulated – from the overcharging of goods to the corruption of the justice system, to flat-out murder, this is a stark, eye-opening story of our country’s racist roots.
Trigger Warnings
Murder, racism, violence
Why Kirsten loves it
I read this non-fiction book before it became a movie. The plot is juicy and thought-provoking. It was hard to believe I was reading a true story, the plot twists and characters came to life in a cinematic way.
Find this book in: Books set in the 1920s / Thought-Provoking Books
Sci-fi Books That Make You Think
Brave New World
Author: Aldous Huxley
Year: 1932
Genre: Classic Sci-Fi
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
I won’t say how many years it has been since I read this book. But I will tell you that I haven’t forgotten any of it. It is one of those thought-provoking books that will have you thinking about it for years to come.
Set in a future in which all humans are genetically bred to uphold a particular place in society without question, the cost has been freedom in all aspects of the word.
Trigger Warnings
Drug use, Suicide
Why Jackie loves it
This dystopian novel was published in 1932 and more than 90 years later, it is more true than it ever was. When the book was published, genetic engineering was a concept from sci-fi novels, and now this book reads more like an anti-how-to guide.
Find this book in: Dystopian Novels / Thought-Provoking Books
The Handmaid’s Tale
Author: Margaret AtwoodÂ
Year: 1985
Genre: Dystopian
More info: A hit series on Hulu
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read.
She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant because, in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable.
Offred remembers when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge, her husband Luke, and her daughter But all of that is gone now….
Trigger Warnings
Dystopian, lack of women’s rights
Why Jackie loves it
This dystopian novel is scary because of how convincing it is. There is a reason this novel by Canadian Author, Margaret Atwood, has won awards. It will make you think differently about everything.
Find this book in: Thought-Provoking Books / Book Adaptations on Netflix / Dystopian Novels / Epistolary Novels
Historial Fiction
The Underground Railroad
Author: Colson Whitehead
Year: 2016
Genre: Literary Historical Fiction
More info: August 2016 Oprah Book Club Pick, Pulitzer Prize winner, New York Times Bestseller
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The story is about Cora and Caesar, two run-away slaves in the South who run away to the underground railroad which, in this book, is an actual railroad. Each stop along the way is reminiscent of a different place in history and it is interlaced with actual ads placed for runaway slaves. This book is profound and beautiful and a must-read.
Trigger Warnings
Slavery
Why Jackie loves it
I loved this book, and it was one of the first reviews we did on the blog. I love how this book examined the underground railroad with a touch of magical realism. If you are looking for thought-provoking books, look no further.
Find this book in: Thought-provoking Books / Best Historical Fiction Books / Magical Realism Books / Best Oprah’s Book Club Books / Historical Fantasy Books
Plot
I picked up this book based on the cover and the thoughts of the hula dance competition, but instead of the fun read I was expecting, I got a coming-of-age story about a light-skinned Hawaiian trying to prove she belongs by learning to Hula.
But this Hula isn’t just a dance, it keeps the legends and legacies of the Hawaiian culture alive. Sprinkled throughout this story, while Hi’i is fighting to prove her worth, we see glimpses of her mother and grandmother’s lives and vignettes that explain Hawaii’s history, colonization, and the struggle of native Hawaiians today.
Why Kirsten loves it
There is so much to uncover in this book, so many layers to absorb. I was entertained while reading it, but more importantly, I learned so much. I’ll be raving about this for years to come!
Find this book in: Thought-provoking Books / Beach Reads 2023 / Best Books 2023 / Best Female BIPOC Author / Best Beach Reads of All Time / Coming-of-age Books for Adults / Books Set in Tropical Locations
Lilac Girls
Author: Martha Hall Kelly
Year: 2016
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Woolsey-Ferriday Series
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Based on the true story of New York socialite, Caroline Ferriday, this fictionalized account of the war is told from three perspectives.
The novel alternates between Caroline in New York, Kasia, a Polish prisoner, at Ravensbruck, and Herta, the only female doctor at that same camp.
Trigger Warnings
Nazi affiliation
Why Kirsten loves it
Herta’s perspective, she was a real doctor at Ravensbruck, was particularly fascinating to read. Hearing her thoughts left a deep impact since authors rarely write from the perspective of the Nazi party members. That perspective makes this novel unique among these books about WWII and is truly a thought-provoking book.
Find this book in: Books About WWII / Books Set in France / Thought Provoking Books / Books With a Color in the Title / Holocaust Books / Books With Flowers in the Title
Thought-Provoking Books for Book Clubs
Broken Country
Author: Clare Leslie Hall
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Mystery Romance
More Info: March 2025 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
June 2025 Beyond the Bookends Bookclub Pick
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Set in 1968 and about a decade prior, this mesmerizing book examines both the loss of a child and the paths not taken. Beth and her husband Frank are still reeling from the unexpected loss of their son, when Beth’s first love, Gabriel Wolfe, comes back to town newly divorced with his own son in tow.
After an accident on the farm, Beth finds herself entwined in Gabriel‘s life once more. Between flashbacks to their former romance and previews of a murder trial, the novel explores the love Beth has for both men.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a Child
Why Kirsten loves it
Hall paints such a vivid picture and explores Beth’s feelings so well that I forgot I was reading fiction. I cried on numerous occasions and was left wanting more.
It reminds me of Where the Crawdads Sing in some ways and The Light We Lost in others. The mystery of who was shot and why was a masterful narrative choice that kept the story moving at a clip. I would give this novel six stars if I could. I truly couldn’t put it down. Gifted by Simon & Schuster
Why Jackie Loves it
This beautifully crafted story depicts lost loves and loss in a way that is still approachable and readable. Kirsten and I cannot wait to discuss this book with our book club in June. Kirsten read the book, and I listened to it. The audio version was powerful and I highly recommend.
Adaptation
Before the book even came out, Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine snapped up the production rights. It will be created with Sony’s 3000 Pictures.
Find this book in: Best Historical Fiction Books / Best British Books / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Books Set in the 1960s / Best Historical Fiction Books of 2025 / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2025
Happiness Falls
Author: Angie Kim
Year: 2023
Genre: Mystery
More info: September 2023 Good Morning America Book Club Pick
November 2025 Beyond the Bookends Book Club pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Happiness Falls is a captivating and heartwrenching tale about a Korean-American family in Virginia. When her dad mysteriously vanishes, Mia is convinced there’s a logical explanation. But as the search unfolds, family secrets unravel, and Mia’s younger brother, who is non-speaking Autistic, becomes the only witness.
Packed with shocking twists and thought-provoking questions, this book explores love, language, disabilities, and the lengths a family will go to understand one another. It was more than just a mystery. It was an exploration of the bonds of family.
Trigger Warnings
Death of a parent
Why Kirsten loves it
I love the portrayal of this family. Not only is this book filled with twists, it delves into the complexity of family and expressions of love.
Why Jackie loves it
As a speech-language pathologist I was captivated by this book from the first page. I love Kim’s emphasis on the importance of communication and the brilliant writing. The mystery is so good, and the characters are complex and unique.
Find this book in: Best Family Drama Books / GMA Book Club List 2023 / Best Books for Book Clubs / Best Books of 2023 / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
The Measure
Author: Nikki Erlick
Year: 2022
Genre: Sci-Fi
More info: July 2022 Read With Jenna Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. One day everyone over the age of 22 wakes up to find a string on their doorstep. It’s soon clear that the length of one’s string determines the length of their life.
Soon short stringers are being discriminated against around the globe which begs the question – what is the true measure of a valuable life?
Why Kirsten loves it
This would be a fabulous book club book. There is so much to talk about. Don’t let the fact that this is a sci-fi book deter you if it is not your usual genre.
Find this book in: Best Books for Book Clubs / New Dystopian Novels /Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time / Best Read With Jenna Books / Read with Jenna Book Club List 2022
The Husbands
Author: Chandler Baker
Year: 2021
Genre: Mystery
More info: August 2021 Good Morning America Book Club Pick
Age Range: 14+
Plot
Ladies, get your book clubs geared up for Chandler Baker’s newest novel. It’s part mystery, part social commentary, but it’s the latter that packs a punch in this contemporary fiction.
Baker examines the mental load that women carry as wives and mothers, particularly working women, and how it differs from what society expects of men.
Murder in the desirable Dynasty Ranch neighborhood has lawyer and prospective buyer, Nora, looking into what happened. With all the Stepford-style husbands she is meeting, she’s starting to wonder what kind of place Dynasty Ranch is after all. You will have such a great discussion about this book about motherhood.
Why Kirsten loves it
This is a perfect book for book clubs, it is such a thought-provoking book. You will have such a great discussion about this book about motherhood, family, and societal expectations.
Adaptation Information
Kristen Wiig is set to produce and star in the movie adaptation of this popular story!
Find this book in: Good Morning America Book Club / Thought-Provoking Books / Books About Mothers and Motherhood / Best Books for Book Clubs to Read
Classic Thought-Provoking Books
Of Mice and Men
Author: John Steinbeck
Year: 1937
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Penguin Classic
Age Range: 12+
Plot
This is the story of George and Lennie, migrant workers during the Great Depression. Their only goal is to find a small piece of land that they can call their own. When they find a job in the Salinas Valley, it feels as though their goals are finally within reach.
This book is another one of my favorites and it also happens to be a short one. George and Lennie have stuck with me for the last 20-plus years. This is a story about friendship that is also a tragedy.
Why Jackie loves it
There is something about Lennie’s innocence that is haunting. There is a moment (if you have read it, you know what I am talking about) that makes this book unforgettable.
Find this book in: Best Classic Novels to Read / Books With Neurodivergent Characters / Thought-Provoking Books
Plot
Bradbury’s dystopian classic is one of the most well-known pieces of modern literature but I hadn’t read it! I don’t usually gravitate to books like this, but I heard so many people speak about the relevancy of this novel today.
It’s so true. This sci-fi book offers a grim look at our future if our society continues down the road of this technology obsession we seem to have.
Guy Montag is a fireman whose job is to destroy anything illegal including books. People are expected to spend the day with their television. When he meets a new young neighbor, he begins to question everything he has learned.
Why Kirsten likes it
If you liked 1984 or The Circle, you will devour this book. Sci-fi is usually not my preferred genre, but I did enjoy this book. This is a dystopian novel that was ahead of its time. Not only does this book stand the test of time, but more than 60 years after its publication, it is even more relevant to our society and our obsession with technology.
Find this book in: Best Sci-Fi Books of All Time / Best Dystopian Novels / Classic Novels / Books About Books / Thought-Provoking Books
To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Year: 1960
Genre: Classic Middle Grade Fiction
Age: 12+
More info: Pulitzer Prize Winner
Plot
This coming-of-age novel is about Scout, a young girl whose father, Atticus, is a lawyer in her Southern town. As she grows, she realizes the prejudices within her town – culminating in her watching a trial as her father defends Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman.
Trigger Warnings
Racism, Rape
Why Kirsten loves it
This book won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was also made into an Academy Award-winning movie. I still remember learning about this book in seventh-grade English. It’s a powerful novel everyone should read.
Why Jackie loves it
I cannot count the number of times I have read this book. It is a coming-of-age book that was ahead of its time and is even more relevant today.
Find this book in: Coming of Age Books for Teens / Realistic Fiction / Thought-Provoking Books / Fun Books for Teens / Best Books for 12-year-olds
Expert Tip
If you are looking for a thought-provoking book, this list has Kirsten’s and my favorites. Here are some things to consider:
- Are you looking for something heavy or something a little lighter? When we think about the idea of a book that makes you think, we often think of books with difficult subjects. If you read the book descriptions, you can see if there is a book that appeals to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most thought-provoking books?
1. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
3. The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
4. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
5. Hula by Jasmin Iolani Hakes
What are some easy-to-read, thought-provoking books for my book club?
These are some easy-to-read and thought-provoking books for book clubs:
1. Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
2. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
3. The Measure by Nikki Erlick
4. The Husbands by Chandler Baker
Related Content
Epilogue
What do you think of our thought-provoking books? We wanted to include some books on this list that are unique. Each of these thought-provoking books will make you think long after you have finished the last page. Do you have more suggestions for us?
Mad Honey should be added to this list.
Great suggestion!